Question

Which non-metal is used to disinfect water?

Answer 1

Hint : Many non-metals are used in the role as disinfectants. Some of them are iodine and chlorine which are to treat substances and some also for antiseptic purposes. This non-metal is used in water treatment plants.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
First let us see what a disinfectant is. Disinfectants are substances which are used to neutralize or sterilize infectants like germs, bacteria, viruses, parasites and other microorganisms.
Now let us see what disinfects water. When water is kept for a long time in tanks or containers, many organisms start growing on the bottom of the container and start contaminating water. These infections can be molds, algae, slime bacteria and other organisms. Long storage of water can also lead to bad smelling odor from water.
Now to treat this infected water, many substances are added to water in water treatment plants to get rid of these infectants.
We have read at many places that chlorine is used to treat water. Chlorine is used to disinfect water for all purposes from water in swimming pools to drinking water. Chlorine kills bacteria and other germs present in water. Chlorine also treats molds, algae, slime bacteria and other organisms present in water.
So chlorine is the non-metal used to disinfect water for all purposes.

Note :
The use of chlorine to treat water is debatable. Many believe that use of chlorine for water treatment is harmful. For this reason, the quantity of chlorine used in water treatment is controlled. The estimate of chlorine used in water treatment is four parts per million. Use of chlorinated water has resulted in an increase of life expectancy rate in humans.